I own a 2001 XK8 which I love and have been a member of this wonderful forum for many years. I am now looking at maybe buying an XF to go with the XK8 or may wait for the new XKE?


I now that 2003 onwards are better for the XK8's but I have seen somewhere not to buy a 2010 XF. Is there any info on your XF forum as to the year to buy and the year not to buy?
I cannot afford a new one as I want someone else to eat the depreciation!
Looking forward to all your comments.

 

I am not sure when the headlights changed, but I love the look of the headlights on my 2013.

 

Nothing wrong with a 2010 XF.
The look of the XF changed slightly with the 2012 model, known as the 'facelift' model.
The 2008 and 2009 XFs with the 2.7 litre diesel are/were the most problematic, but as you are in the US that is not an issue as the diesel versions of the XF have never (yet) been exported to the US.

 

I dont like the "slant eye" later models (reminds me of a short sighted jaguar wearing the wrong glasses)... the 2.7 wasn't so good, so 3.0 oil burner is a good start...so 2009 and up till ne new shape. Petrol... mheeh, I have always been weary since early "Hypereutectic Aluminum Cylinder Bores".....soooo give me a bug eyed 3.0 oil burner!

 

Consumers Reports says to avoid the 2010. Hopefully it was due to a small sample size because I am including 2010's in my search. I thought I would use that as a bargaining chip with the seller.

 

I'd take a look at the 2011 MY. Jaguar had a couple of years to iron/smooth out some faults that occurred with the earlier years (2009&2010), but at the same time, still retained the 5 liter v8 engine as standard.

I have the '11 model, and I'm partial to it! When 2012 MY came around, as others have said, the headlights changed from a 'bug eye' look to a more aggressive / sleeker look, which I think also looks great.

In an effort likely to appeal to a wider range of buyers & increase MPG, for 2012 they introduced the 2 & 3 liter engines, and increased MPG (great.) However, the MSRP of the 5 liter model went up quite a bit, as a result, I believe. But, IM sometimes HO, gas prices are considerably lower now than they have been in the past, and there is quite a difference between the sportier, thirsty jaguars and their newer, tamer counterparts.

I think it makes sense to choose between a '12/'13 vs a '10/'11 depending on whether you prefer higher MPG, new headlight look, new SAT Nav, among other improvements (in which case choose the former) or you want to hear an arguably more satisfying exhaust note & be able to be more nimble / accelerate with more power under the hood (in which case choose the latter). Obviously, this tradeoff doesn't exist when budget is not of particular concern.

Good luck in your decision!

 

Big Dipstick, we do not have the diesel engines over here in the USA. I think the new XE? to launch her next year with a 2 litre diesel.

 

Having spent time working on my 4.0 litre engine in the XK8 I think I would be more comfortable working on a V8 engine rather than a V6 if that makes sense?

 

My 2011 Supercharged has been relatively trouble free so far, except for water pump being replaced, which I'd known issue for a number of years. The 2012 in addition to headlight and slight shape change in front had improved seats and touch,look, and feel of controls. I also think some had said there are other improvements. I haven't noticed a lot of complaints from 2010 Owners, although I think sunroof and some door rattles. I think fit and finish of 2012's on is better.

 

2011 is a sweet spot for price, reliability, and performance. The new lights are ok, and if you have to have whatever the latest is, get them, but original lights have more character in my opinion. If you're one that has to have the latest, it won't be long before Jaguar changes the face again.

But for the love of God, don't get a base model. The savings on the base is nothing compared to what you're giving up on interior quality and features and wheels.

 

Get a 2012! They have the updated front end that mirrors the XJ and the 5.0 V8.

 

My .02

Get the lowest mileage you can afford, 5.0 Supercharged is the best value out there for "supercar" power. Or, what was considered to be supercar power just a few short years ago. Now many are approaching 600HP. I just got a 2011 used, dealer loaner, with just 17,000 miles on it. Next to new in my book as I regularly keep my cars ten years and 200K miles.

 

I have a late 2002 Xk8 and a 2010 XF. Love both!! Haven't had any real problems with the XF. Some reprograming to the computer. No big deal. I have modified it a LOT!!

 

I agree with the headlights. I didn't like as much at first but now, I think the first style at least is unique to other cars. And if you have the nerve to have them cut and painted black inside, they look completly updated. Had mine done.

 

I've tried to trade up but the newer engines just don't impress me. I hate the stop start feature and they don't sound like a jaguar anymore. Unless you move up to a supercharged R. And the mpg savings on the newer smaller engines is minimal for the trade off of the V8.
The only things I like better on the newer model are the drl, you can spot a new XF in a second with the J drl's, and I like the new black switches inside. Better quality and feel.

 

I like the 2012. It has the updated headlights, front grill and, I think, this was the year they also updated the touchscreen inside. In 2013 the NA V8 was no longer available, replaced with the V6. The V6 is fine but, it truly does not match the sophistication of the 5.0 V8. I have a 2012 that I expressly purchased because of the impending switch to the V6 engine.

On the positive end, the 2013s had the 8-sp transmission which I wish my car had... :-).

 

I had the 2008 (4.2V8) and the 2012 (5.0 V8). Probably the problems with the 2010 5.0 is the water pump which was a bit dodgy, and I think was improved in the following year. I had no engine issues in either car. I preferred the headlight shape in the '12 model, but I preferred the engine note in the (much slower) 4.2. The 5.0 is a very quick car especially over about 80kph.


I actually preferred the interior tech in the older model, the new HDD system in the '12 took forever to boot up and it was a real PITA. First world problem, but then I was used to it being pretty much instantaneous in the '08. And although the '08 system is set up so that you have to go through multiple windows, that ended up being easier than the newer one which is all a bit cramped and harder to use when you are driving (IMO).


But they are all lovely cars, so whatever you get I think you'll enjoy it.

 

99.9% of all cars made in the last 15-20 years (jag,ford,audi and fiat plus many more) have water pump problems because OEM pumps are fitted with crap plastic impellers..so you cant base a good year on that basis alone because they are all poop!

 

We have an '09 Premium and an '11 Base. I prefer my '09 over her '11 obviously becuase I have more features than she does but I do like the bigger 5.0 in hers. The other thing I disklike about her '11 is that it seems to run (idle, start up, drive) "louder" than the '09. I'm guessing that may have something to do with the difference in engine size but upon first purchasing the car I wasn't too sure so went back to the dealer and was told it had something to do with the fuel injectors they switched to on the 11s. They took me to every '11 they had on the lot and they all sound the same. May be a small thing to some but it annoys me every time I start hers vs mines.

 

'11s have a 6 year warranty, '12s have the last 5.0 NA engines.

You say potato, I say tomato...
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons